Chapter Nine: Sight Seeing in Sonora
There are several remarkable tourist destinations in Sonora that
are less than a one day drive from San Carlos. My favorites are
these:
Altar Desert and Pinacate Volcanic Area in northwest Sonora,
and Alamos in southeast Sonora. In the adjacent state of
Sinaloa is the most spectacular sight of all, the Copper Canyon.
Visit the Copper Canyon in the fall or spring, to avoid the cold and
snow. See the Pinacate area in the spring. Don't forget to
visit nearby Guaymas for shopping or sight seeing.
Guaymas
Take a day trip to Guaymas, a 20 minute drive from San Carlos. This relatively new port is the second largest on Mexico's Pacific Coast (Manzanillo being the first). Guaymas is best known for being one of the largest shrimp producers in Mexico. So if you love those camarones (shrimp), dining in Guaymas should be a distinct pleasure. Of course, it's not all this portside town has to offer in the way of good eats. Filet of sole, grouper and red snapper are also very fresh and popular regional catches. Among others, the tastes of Italy and Greece can also be found in the area.
In 2008 a new port was built, with the aim of boosting tourism. Now providing the amenities to support large cruise ships, Guaymas has become one of Mexico’s newest cruise ship ports. The city is home to more than 130,000 people. If shopping is on your agenda, Guaymas now has Sam’s Club and a Wal-Mart.
Step back in time as you tour the neoclassic San Fernando Church and the Moorish 13 de Julio Plaza in the historic town center. Explore the popular beaches and picturesque bays in nearby San Carlos. Visit a world class pearl farm or journey to magical Las Barajitas Canyon, home to three separate ecosystems. The waterfront Malecon at the west end of Avenida Serdan still offers slower paced vistas of the magnificent Sea of Cortez. Fishing boats fill the waters each morning in search of their daily catch.
The large and protected natural harbor at Guaymas bay is perfect for boat lovers. Many visitors leave their boats in the water here all year round, and then fly or drive down whenever they have a chance to spend some time. This beautiful harbor, combined with the clear waters of the Sea of Cortez and the tall, rugged mountains just inland combined give this area a unique feeling very similar to the eastern flank of Baja, California.
Altar Desert and the Pinacate Volcanic Area
If you possibly can, take an overnight trip to visit this extraordinary desert, 435 miles from San Carlos and not far from Rocky Point (Puerto Penasco ) . It is an experience of a lifetime. The scenery is breath taking and the extreme quiet and solitude are rare in the modern world. This desert was used as a training ground for the astronauts who landed on the moon. It is a rare experience to see the desert as it was before man built all over it. If you love beautiful cactus, this is the place for you. Visitors will see beautiful flowers, and incredible volcanic formations. It has the largest concentration of volcanic craters on earth. Go in early spring with a guide. We found it hard to locate a guide and pin down a specific date. You may do better to search for a guide on the internet.
When to Go
Spring is the only time to visit the Pinacate. It is much too hot any other time of year. March is the best month because the wildflowers are incredible then. The fields are drenched in the orange of the Desert Mallows and with scattered white, yellow and lavender flowers.
Getting There
Visitors register at the main park entrance 32 miles south of the Lukeville Arizona/Sonoyta border crossing on Highway 8 . Crater Elegante is one of the main attractions, 12 miles north of the east park entrance. Five miles northwest of Elegante is the El Tecolote campgrounds which has the best access to hiking trails. Cono Rojo campground is 14 miles northwest of the information center, and is the best starting point for hiking up to the volcanic peaks. Overnight camping in the backcountry is permitted with some restrictions.
Accommodations
The closest hotels/motels are in Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) and they are too numerous to mention. It is easy to reserve a room.
Copper Canyon Train Trip
The Copper Canyons (Barrancas del Cobre ) cover an area four times the size of Grand Canyon. Since the Grand Canyon has been designated one of the Seven Wonders of the World, what can be said about Copper Canyon? The canyons are deep within the Sierra Madres, and the scenery is magnificent. This is the home of the legendary Tarahumara Indians.
When to Go
The best months to take the Copper Canyon tour are in September through October or from mid-February through early May. The summers are too hot. July and August are too rainy, and in the winter, the mountains are covered with snow. September is the very best time to visit because the weather is sunny but not too hot, and because it’s just after the rainy season. In the fall, the foliage is spectacular.
Getting There
A visit to the Copper Canyon is an experience you will never forget. Plan on at least a four or five day trip. It is only a three or four hour trip from San Carlos to Los Mochis, the western point of embarkation on the Copper Canyon train. You also have the option of starting from El Fuerte, which is easily reached by car or bus from Guaymas. It is much more pleasant to start off from El Fuerte, a charming colonial town somewhat like Alamos.
Trains
Two companies offer deluxe excursion trains: the Ferrocarril
Chihuahua Pacifico (Chepe) and the Sierra Madre Express . For
train reservations and information visit the web site or call:
Ferrocarril Chihuahua Pacifico
52 614 439 7211 (Mexico)
Sierra
Madre Express
P.O. Box 26381, Tucson, AZ 85726
Telephone from the USA Tel. 800-666-0346
Group Tours
A number of tour companies sponsor round trip tours by train.
Most tours start at Chihuahua , stop over at Divisadero and Creel ,
end
up in Los Mochis on the Pacific coast, and return. From Guaymas,
travel south to El Fuerte to board the train. This route does not
require the long trip from Chihuahua to Los Mochis and is convenient
route for tourists from Guaymas/San Carlos The best way to
explore the area around Creel is on a side tour of at least one day.
You can sign up for a tour at one of the four or five hotels in
Creel.
Some tours include challenging side trips into the wilderness on
foot or by donkey. Some package tours with transportation, tour
guides and lodgings can be quite expensive, but you can travel for
less if you make your own arrangements or choose a tour
company that offers a basic package.
Mexico Rail Travel , for example, offers a basic Copper Canyon Tour,
including 5 days, and 4 nights with a one night stopover at the
lodge in Creel. The Sierra Lodge offers guided tours under the name
Creel, The Unique Experience . From the USA, Call 1-800-847-2546. Do your homework on the internet for the right tour for you.
Accommodations
Those who do not want to go with a tour group to Chihuahua can drive to Los Mochis or El Fuerte, stay overnight, buy their own train tickets, and make reservations at one of the lodges. They are at the mid-point of the trip. Many travelers recommend The Lodge at Creel. Telephone: 1-456-0071.
Alamos
When to Go
It’s best to go when the town is geared up for the tourist season, from mid October through March. Music lovers would enjoy the festival in January.
Getting There
Check the web site www.alamosmexico.com
It's an easy afternoon drive from San Carlos to Alamos. You can go by bus or drive south on Hwy. 15 to Navajoa and then go east. To travel to Alamos by commercial airplane, fly to the city of Obregon, and from there go by car to Alamos, a one-hour drive. Arrangements can be made in advance with Los Santos or Los Tesoros hotels for airport transportation.
When you get to Alamos, it is a good idea to go with a guide to
see the magnificent 16th century homes and gardens, authentically
restored from colonial times. On Saturday mornings, visitors can
join the Home and Garden Tours organized by Friends of the
Library. Tours can also be arranged to visit the Mayo Indian
village, 4 miles from Alamos. Ask at the tourist office
(642-8-04-50) or
make arrangements with a travel agency in advance. (Some of the
self-appointed “guides” are just bumming around and don’t have
permission to enter the homes). During the tourist season, from
mid-October through mid-March, the colonial silver mining village of
Alamos is lively with music and arts and crafts shows. The city
presents the Dr. Alfonso Ortiz Tirado cultural and music festival
during
the last two weekends of January. But just as the social season
winds down, the bird watching season begins. Bird watchers come
from all over the world to see the sanctuary for birds and plant
life in the lush mountains bordering on the town of Alamos. After
the
tourist season ends, the little town of Alamos virtually shuts down.
For information about guides, transportation and accommodations
in Alamos, call 266-0331 from San Carlos, or call from the USA
011-52-642-266-0331.
Accommodations
If you visit Alamos during the tourist season, it is necessary to reserve a room in advance. Only 45 to 50 hotel rooms are available in Alamos. There are also a motel and several trailer parks, B & B's and attractive rooms with kitchenettes. Very reasonably priced accommodations can be found at the Hotel Enrique (has no phone), and Hotel Los Portales (647-428-0211), as well as the Hotel La PosadaDe Don Andres (647-428-1110). Higher priced hotels in restored haciendas provide comfort and colonial charm and are quite a bit more expensive. Hacienda de los Santos resort & Spa (647-428-0222), for example, advertises rooms and suites. The deluxe priced hotels are Hotel Los Tesoros Hotel (647-428-0010), and Hacienda de Los Santos Resort & Spa . (Make reservations on line at www haciendadelossantos.com ). Shots of Los Tesoros and Hacienda de los Santos are seen in the movie, The Mexican, filmed in part in Alamos, with Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt.